This is a discussion on which poker book should i read first? within the online poker forums, in the General Poker section; the psychology of poker, or no limit holdem theory and practice.
i bought these a while back.
im reading harrington on holdem series right now.

Harrington on holdem (Volumes 1-3 are all great, his cash game gook is great too. Read em and weep is a great read, (Phil Helmuth and Joe Navaro)

Abbbott

#5

13th April 2010, 12:59 AM

TIGERSTUMP [214]

Poker at: pokerstars

Game: holdem/omaha

U SHOULD READ A BOOK ON ,,,PLAYIN A STYLE OV POKER CALLED TIGHT AGGRESSIVE PLAY,,theres a great book on begiiners giude to poker tournies,,by tony holdem,,,it teaches u the style tight agrressive play,,it helped me learn a solid style ov poker,,,ut its a basic book on poker tournies,,that will help u learn the basis ov a solid game

#6

13th April 2010, 4:28 AM

akcash [106]

Online Poker at: Stars

Game: holdem

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIGERSTUMP

U SHOULD READ A BOOK ON ,,,PLAYIN A STYLE OV POKER CALLED TIGHT AGGRESSIVE PLAY,,theres a great book on begiiners giude to poker tournies,,by tony holdem,,,it teaches u the style tight agrressive play,,it helped me learn a solid style ov poker,,,ut its a basic book on poker tournies,,that will help u learn the basis ov a solid game

could u give a link to that book. i couldnt find it anywhere when i googled it. thanks.

#7

13th April 2010, 5:41 AM

Pantheon [28]

Poker at: PokerStars

Game: Holdem

re: Poker & which poker book should i read first?

If you've not read any Sklansky before then NLHETAP isn't really a good place to start and there isn't that much in there that is really applicable to SNGs. Then again the psychology book probably isn't all that useful for SNGs unless there are chapters dedicated to how to avoid suicidal thoughts after playing them for too long.

#8

13th April 2010, 8:13 AM

akcash [106]

Online Poker at: Stars

Game: holdem

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pantheon

If you've not read any Sklansky before then NLHETAP isn't really a good place to start and there isn't that much in there that is really applicable to SNGs. Then again the psychology book probably isn't all that useful for SNGs unless there are chapters dedicated to how to avoid suicidal thoughts after playing them for too long.

haha yea. i think i might actually just finish up my tournament harrington books and then get his cash game books and read those other books i got after i finish the harrington cash books.

#9

13th April 2010, 8:23 AM

mig2169 [423]

Poker at: bodog

Game: holdem limit

brunson's super system is the best book available to read and learn.

#10

13th April 2010, 8:25 AM

PokerProBetZip [365]

Online Poker at: FTP

Game: NL Hold'em

I read "Play Poker Like The Pros" by Phil Hellmuth early on when I began playing. He's one of the best players, the money/bracelets say it all. He has some excellent advice in there.

#11

13th April 2010, 8:31 AM

wetyeti [229]

Moshman - Sit n Go Strategy

#12

13th April 2010, 7:40 PM

pokermanplym [79]

Game: hold em

i think doyle brunsons super system is a good book check it out

#13

13th April 2010, 7:48 PM

Poker Orifice [16,794]

Game: NLHE

Quote:

Originally Posted by mig2169

brunson's super system is the best book available to read and learn.

I think this book is way outdated & for myself it wouldn't be on my Top20 poker books.

#14

13th April 2010, 7:49 PM

Poker Orifice [16,794]

Game: NLHE

re: Poker & which poker book should i read first?

Quote:

Originally Posted by PokerProBetZip

I read "Play Poker Like The Pros" by Phil Hellmuth early on when I began playing. He's one of the best players, the money/bracelets say it all. He has some excellent advice in there.

Don't want to be mean here with my post but this book by Phil Helmuth is very, very lame in comparison to most other poker books out there on the market. If you liked this book I strongly suggest checking out some other books.... cuz I think you will REALLY like them.

#15

13th April 2010, 8:02 PM

aesopdurasic [277]

Poker at: Tilt

Game: Holdem,PLO,

I think it really depends on what type of poker u are going to play... I personally started with a book called killer poker online: crushing the internet game by John Vorhaus. I also read part 2 from him. Its a very easy read and its touches on all aspects from tourney, sitngo, cash sh and fr.I would look into reading that book but its personal preference. Also look around u can get all the same info from articles online. PM me and i can send u a link with a few of them depending on what ur into....

#16

13th April 2010, 9:23 PM

S93 [6,162]

Game: NL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poker Orifice

I think this book is way outdated & for myself it wouldn't be on my Top20 poker books.

This.
People please stop recamenting SS in every thread because:
1. Its outdated.
2. It has little(or actualy no) barring on online play(or todays live play either since u dont get alot of 200bb+ deep super passive scared money games today).
3.There are alot of much better books out there.
4. Its a absolutly horrible "beginer" book.

Yes it was the best book in world when written, yes it changed poker forever, yes its a masterpice but its still worthless imo unless your reading it for the 5card draw section or w/e.

/rant.

As for OP if your choices are psychology vs NLHTP I would go with NLHTP.
But if your playing SNGs not reading SNG Strategy by Collin Moshman is a crime imo.

#17

13th April 2010, 11:21 PM

salim271 [1,678]

Poker at: Full Tilt

Game: Holdem

Quote:

Originally Posted by S93

This.
People please stop recamenting SS in every thread because:
1. Its outdated.
2. It has little(or actualy no) barring on online play(or todays live play either since u dont get alot of 200bb+ deep super passive scared money games today).
3.There are alot of much better books out there.
4. Its a absolutly horrible "beginer" book.

Yes it was the best book in world when written, yes it changed poker forever, yes its a masterpice but its still worthless imo unless your reading it for the 5card draw section or w/e.

/rant.

As for OP if your choices are psychology vs NLHTP I would go with NLHTP.
But if your playing SNGs not reading SNG Strategy by Collin Moshman is a crime imo.

+1, super system is a decent read, but you won't get much poker strategy out of it for play today, especially in the micros...

#18

14th April 2010, 10:53 PM

akcash [106]

Online Poker at: Stars

Game: holdem

thanks for everybodys suggestions and to the people who recommended moshman. im reading it now.

what do you guys think about the HOH series?

#19

15th April 2010, 12:58 AM

S93 [6,162]

Game: NL

Quote:

Originally Posted by akcash

thanks for everybodys suggestions and to the people who recommended moshman. im reading it now.

what do you guys think about the HOH series?

Harington on Holdem is great imo.
Harington on Cash is good but not really applicable if your playing micro/small stakes imo.

#20

15th April 2010, 7:10 AM

jernest [187]

Game: NLHE

Quote:

Originally Posted by S93

But if your playing SNGs not reading SNG Strategy by Collin Moshman is a crime imo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wetyeti

Moshman - Sit n Go Strategy

+1
If you are serious about SnGs this book is an absolue must. Breaks down excellent play through low, mid, and hi blinds. Harrington is a good read, though HoH is not geared towards single table SnGs.

Best of luck to you

#21

15th April 2010, 9:27 AM

The Gent [235]

Poker at: Stars

Game: Holdem

re: Poker & which poker book should i read first?

I have read a lot, and agree with Super System being outdated, Harrington & Sklansky are good.

Moshman's SNG strategy is excellent and as OP is playing those then the best one IMO.

I think having Moshman's strategies in your head while playing and reviewing hands that you felt went poorly (I am doing that quite a lot) would be most beneficial.

Phil Hellmuth's book is fine for tight Limit Holdem, giving a good grounding in starting hand selection and player types, but that's about it, no good for NLHE at all.

The only ones I have not really looked at yet are the Kill Everyone books, anyone else read these?

#22

16th April 2010, 4:11 AM

crowhui [61]

Online Poker at: full tilt

Game: Omaha H/L

yeh,Collin Moshman sit n go is really good book,i am reading it....

#23

26th October 2015, 4:43 PM

Izissant [32]

Poker at: Designer

Game: Holdem only

Poker by the Book by John Anhalt has helped me a lot to improve my poker skill. It has been written in a very straight forward and logical fashion, so that it builds my poker knowledge systematically. You may try with this amazing book.
Annie Duke / John Vorhaus book "Decide to Play Great Poker" was really interesting. Wouldn't suggest it as a first poker book

#24

26th October 2015, 4:50 PM

taban13 [843]

Online Poker at: PS FT 888

Game: holdem

Doyle Brunson super sistems

#25

26th October 2015, 9:58 PM

Sam Carter [103]

"Poker by the Book" is a best book to read first! It contains a lot of useful information and experience of 9-year coaching. the book is easy to read and really exciting. I have found a lot of interesting things while reading it, that's why I strongly recommend it!

#26

26th October 2015, 10:16 PM

CincyTim83 [106]

Online Poker at: ACR

Game: Holdem

I think there is better learning material through poker streams these days. getting to see strategy played out live and the players explaining their decisions are a lot better to learn from.

#27

26th October 2015, 10:40 PM

fletchdad [7,481]

Poker at: Weddings

Game: holdem

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izissant

Poker by the Book by John Anhalt has helped me a lot to improve my poker skill. It has been written in a very straight forward and logical fashion, so that it builds my poker knowledge systematically. You may try with this amazing book.
Annie Duke / John Vorhaus book "Decide to Play Great Poker" was really interesting. Wouldn't suggest it as a first poker book

sik bump.............

#28

26th October 2015, 10:47 PM

John A [4,099]

re: Poker & which poker book should i read first?

Quote:

Originally Posted by fletchdad

sik bump.............

I know... what in the world are you searching for to come up with that.

Hey, I'll take the love, but whoa. Maybe I know him/her?

#29

27th October 2015, 4:17 PM

Izissant [32]

Poker at: Designer

Game: Holdem only

Quote:

Originally Posted by John A

I know... what in the world are you searching for to come up with that.

Hey, I'll take the love, but whoa. Maybe I know him/her?

#30

27th October 2015, 8:17 PM

John A [4,099]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izissant

By the way. If you liked polished poker, why don't you join our study group? It's free and lots of good info.

#31

27th October 2015, 8:48 PM

veronica [511]

Poker at: pokerstars

I recommended to my mentality poker player , though I can not concentrate every deal you see what caught me reading many videos juan martin shepherd who are in intellinpoker

#32

3rd November 2015, 1:17 PM

Dorugremon [233]

Game: Hold 'Em

Quote:

Originally Posted by mig2169

brunson's super system is the best book available to read and learn.

I concur, and that's where I'd suggest anyone interested in learning start with Super System. Anything by Sklansky is good, though you'll have to work to understand the concepts as they are highly mathematical. Sklansky's "For Advanced Players" series is also excellent and well worth consideration.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poker Orifice

I think this book is way outdated & for myself it wouldn't be on my Top20 poker books.

This is true only on a very superficial level. Games such as Five Card Draw and Draw Low are rarer than seal feathers in today;s cardrooms. Straight Seven Stud H/L was on its way out of favour when the book was published, and the first edition never discussed Stud-8, nor Omaha. That doesn't mean that there aren't any useful concepts to be found in those sections. They are definitely there.

As for the rest that remains relevant to today's Poker scene, The games haven't changed, and the advise and concepts are still as apropos now as the day they were written. Hold 'Em is still Hold 'Em, and played the same. The only things that have changed are that Hold 'Em is a helluvalot more popular these days than it was when Super System first appeared (when the Golden Nugget was also known as "The House of Hold 'Em as they were the only cardroom that spread the game on a regular schedule) and many cardrooms had placards to explain the game to passing tourists. Back when the only NLHE games to be found in 'Vegas were WSOP side games, and now when it's the peoples' choice and pretty much available everywhere, and FLHE games are few and far between.

Fads and fashions change, but good information remains good information.

#33

3rd November 2015, 1:41 PM

hffjd2000 [2,330]

Poker at: fulltilt

Game: holdem

I would have to read first theory and practice. Its a hard read though.

If however you are mostly playing live, Ill go with psychology of poker first because of its nature which is playing the people and phychology is a must.